Plan Do Study Adjust- The Engine of Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is of necessity in the very DNA of our shops.

Continuous improvement is in our DNA

In ISO 9000:2000 Section 8.5.1 read :

The organization shall continually improve the effectiveness of the quality management system through the use of the quality policy, quality objectives, audit results, analysis of data, corrective and preventive action, and management review.

In TS16949:2009 it read:

8.5.1.1 Continual Improvement of the Organization

The organization must define a process for continual improvement .

8.5.1.2 Manufacturing Process Improvement

Manufacturing process improvement must continually focus on control and reduction of variation in product characteristics and manufacturing process parameters.

The standard defined continual improvement as : “recurring activity to increase the ability to fulfill requirements.”

It sounds good; what does one do when Study-Adjust nets zero results or solutions? This is where the adolescents and adults are separated. One may pontificate upon the issue and even have brainstorming meetings until the cows come home; and still no solution.

Welcome to our blog, Speaking of Precision. As Director of Technology and Industry Research for PMPA, I bring 38 years of hands-on experience in areas of manufacturing, quality and steelmaking. I help answer "HOW?","WITH WHAT?" and "REALLY?"